A DeKalb apartment building was destroyed by fire Friday night. Crews had difficulty fighting the fire after encountering fire hydrants that were not functioning properly.
No injuries were reported, but 12 adults and 10 children were displaced by the significant damage to the building at the rear of the complex.
Fire crews were called to the Silver Oak Apartments in the 1200 block of Brockett Road in Clarkston around 6:45 p.m. The response time was less than two minutes because the apartment complex is next door to Fire Station No. 23, DeKalb fire Capt. Eric Jackson said.
However, there was already significant fire and smoke involvement when crews arrived, and three hydrants that crews attempted to use were inoperable and did not provide adequate water pressure, he said.
Crews used 2,200 feet of supply line from the hydrant in front of the station next door to extinguish the fire, Jackson said.
“At no time did we not have water, but we just did not have the positive water coming from a hydrant specifically that we count on when we fight these fires,” Jackson said.
The problem with the hydrants will be investigated, according to Jackson.
Firefighters helped with the evacuation process, which started before they arrived.
Resident Miftah Aman said when someone knocked on his door, “I didn’t grab anything. I just ran out.”
He said he saw only smoke at first, but flames quickly became visible.
“Everything is gone,” he said. “My T-shirt and pajamas are all I have.”
Witness Sharon Boykins, who lives in a separate building, said she came out of her apartment when she smelled smoke.
“It was an awful sight to see,” she said.
She was worried about her neighbors, but no one was injured.
“I was happy to know all the families, everybody made it out safe,” she said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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